Submarine accident kills sailor

A sailor died in an apparent accident on board a ballistic missile submarine off Oahu over the weekend, the Navy said yesterday.

The accident on the Bangor, Wash.-based USS Nebraska didn't affect the ship and no one else was injured, said Lt. Cmdr. David Benham, a spokesman for the Pacific Fleet Submarine Force.

The crew member was mortally injured while the sub was beneath the ocean's surface, said Lt. Kyle A. Raines. He was given emergency medical treatment and placed on a medical helicopter, but died before reaching a hospital, Raines said.

Benham said he wasn't able to provide further details due to an ongoing investigation. The sailor's name has not been released.

The submarine was conducting routine submerged operations Saturday at the time of the accident, Benham said.

The Nebraska is an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, designed for stealth and the precision delivery of nuclear warheads.